Building Bridges: What help and support is on offer?

The Building Bridges programme aims to help people understand their barriers to skills development, education and employment and support them with a personalised plan to overcome these barriers and achieve their goals. We understand that people who meet the criteria for the programme may have multiple challenges which prevent them from developing skills and qualifcations and finding long-term employment.

We will work with each participant in the programme to develop a personalised support plan to help put them on the path to future success. Alongside this, we can also offer additional support such as debt and financial advice, sponsored employment, support with transport and childcare advice.

The Building Bridges programme is here to support anyone who is eligible to take part in Swindon or Wiltshire. You can register yourself to take part or tell us about someone who you think could benefit from the help and support on offer.

Your personal support plan

Your personal support plan is a plan which is created especially for you, based on your goals and ideas about where you want to be. We will tailor this plan to help you understand what barriers you might face and whether you might need any extra help and support to help you work towards employment or education. You will always be involved in the creation of your plan and you can move forward at your own pace.

Additional support is also available in the following areas:

Physical & Mental Wellbeing

Help and support for participants who may face mental or physical health challenges which are a potential barrier to future success.

Volunteering Support

Specialist advice and support for participants who want to gain new skills and experience by volunteering their time to do something they enjoy.

Sponsored Employment

For participants who want to gain useful work experience and improve their CV, sponsored employment placements can be arranged.

Debt & Financial Advice

If debt or money worries are a barrier for you entering employment or education, specialist debt and financial advice can be arranged.

Financial Training & Support

If you are worried about money or making ends meet, you can get advice on budgeting and how to arrange your finances.

Help with Transport Costs

The cost of transport either to interviews or the workplace can be a real challenge. We can offer participants support with transport costs.

In-Work Support & Guidance

Once you find work or a sponsored placement we can continue to offer support and guidance to help ensure your role or placement is a success.

Employer Liaison Support

We will provide support to potential employers to help them make it as easy as possible to offer roles for Building Bridges programme participants.

Advice on Childcare

We can offer support and guidance around childcare including what financial support is available to help you pay for childcare costs.

Take Part

Register yourself or refer someone who you think could benefit from the help and support on offer.

Get in Touch

Our Funding

The Building Bridges programme is jointly funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund. Find out more about our funding and the partners involved in supporting the Building Bridges programme in Wiltshire and Swindon.

About the Programme

The Building Bridges programme supports people across Swindon and Wiltshire who are facing significant challenges in being able to develop their skills, access education or move towards the world of work. The programme is a partnership of organisations who are experts at supporting people and giving them the skills and confidence they need to move forward. Taking part in the programme is voluntary and all of the advice and support is offered free of charge.

The programme is jointly funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery, via the Big Lottery Fund.